OR A L H EA LT H
Smile
Bright Tips from the pros on how to keep your smile dazzling and healthy. BY CARLY WEEKS
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inflammation will eat away at the bones holding our teeth in place, which can lead to receding gums as well as loose and even lost teeth. tHE fix Gum care is essential, so floss and brush the gum area daily with a soft toothbrush—hard brushes can cause wear and tear. Next, see your dentist regularly to have your gums assessed and monitored. Early detection of chronic inflammation and gum recession allows for early treatment and can prevent future problems. Treatment for chronic gum inflammation usually means a deep cleaning to remove the bacteria stuck in pockets between teeth and gums. Extreme cases may call for gum surgery. CANADIANLIVING.COM | OCTOBER 2015
PHOTOGRAPHY, STOCKSY UNITED
Whatever the mirror is saying, it’s safe to You could swear your say that most of us could be doing more teeth used to be whiter. to take care of our oral health. But where to begin? We asked two top dental health Maybe those gums are professionals for their insights. inching farther away from Gum health your choppers. Or perhaps Gingivitis, or inflammation of the a lifelong love of pop, citrus gums, can do more than make your gums bleed—if left unchecked, it can and other highly acidic lead to tooth loss and periodontal disease, which has been linked to heart foods means you fear disease, says Dr. Euan Swan, manager of dental programs at the Canadian your teeth are one glass Dental Association. Inflammation sets of sangria away from in when bacteria accumulate around teeth at the gumline and make their way being see-through. under the gums. Over time, this chronic
